NEWSBREAK

BY BETTINA KRAUSE, assistant to the General Conference president for global initiatives

eventh-day Adventists in South Korea are celebrating a strong start to their Sow 1 Billion effort after initial reports show that at least 40,000 people have already requested Bible studies as a result of this initiative. John McGhee, Sow 1 Billion coordinator for the Northern Asia-Pacific Division, says the enthusiasm is running high. He reports that since the program was launched in September 2003, church members have handed out some 2 million Bible study invitations in cities and towns throughout South Korea; ultimately they plan to hand out 32 million of these small brochures inviting people to study the Bible.

The efforts in Korea represent just one facet of the Sow 1 Billion initiative, an extraordinary world church plan to print and distribute 1,000 million invitations to study the Bible. Hundreds of millions of these small tracts have already been printed in many different languages: from Kiswahili to Creole; Amharic to Tigrina; Mongolian to Hindi. This massive global project is already underway in many parts of the world, including South America, Australia, Inter-America, Russia, parts of Europe and Africa, and much of Asia.

The Adventist Church in North America launched its Sow 1 Billion effort last month. The response so far has been outstanding, says Debra Brill, a vice president of the church in North America and Sow 1 Billion coordinator. "Conference leadership has really embraced this initiative--they're excited about the opportunity, and have ordered many more brochures than we ever expected."

In all, the church in North America will distribute 25.9 million Bible study invitations, including 2.3 million in Spanish and 1.5 million in French. Church leaders say that many conferences are stepping out in faith with Sow 1 Billion: the church in Quebec, Canada, was originally offered 100,000 cards, but has instead requested 1 million in French and 200,000 in English. The Alaska Conference, with a membership of just over 3,500, is distributing 214,000 cards.

Responses from North America are beginning to come in. The Oklahoma Conference mailed 310,000 cards and has received some 1,400 requests for Bible studies. Three churches in Montana together delivered 15,000 cards and have so far received 150 Bible study requests. The Voice of Prophecy Bible school, which is processing responses on behalf of some conferences, notes that in the first week of March an average of 20 phone calls and 120 request cards every day.

Brill says that while almost half of North America's Sow 1 Billion cards will be sent out via mass mailings, many conferences are choosing to rely on the "personal touch" of hand distribution. "We're so pleased by the response of our pastors and members," she adds. "As the interest in the initiative continues to build, requests for extra brochures are flowing in."

The Sow 1 Billion initiative is a joint effort of the General Conference, each of the church's 13 world divisions, and Adventist-laymen's Services and Industries.

Sow 1 Billion brochures can be ordered from Seminars Unlimited by calling (800) 982-3344 or (817) 641-3643. For more news reports, sample brochures, and updates, visit the Adventist Review's Sow 1 Billion resource center.

Florida Adventist Murdered
The Orlando Sentinel newspaper reports that the body of Margarita Hildalgo, 51, a member of the Iglesia Adventista de Septimo Dia (a Hispanic Adventist Church in Orlando, was found March 30 at the church.

Hidalgo was slain after arriving at 6 a.m. for her cleaning job. Her body was discovered three hours later by the church secretary. She had apparently surprised a burglar who strangled and stabbed her, according to the Sentinel.

Authorities have arrested have arrested a suspect in connection with the crime.

Hidalgo's husband died of in a car accident in 1995, leaving her to raise four children. "She was an angel," said her daughter-in-law, Erica Marquez, who is married to one of her sons. "She was supposed to be safe in church."

A niece, Barbara Taylor of Orlando, said Hidalgo lived for her children and church, never remarried, and instead let her faith guide her daily life. "The most important thing was her relationship with God," Taylor said. She described her aunt as a caring spirit who helped other church members find lost items after services and drove people to and from church.

The church pastor, Juan Labrador, told reporters his grieving congregation was relieved to know someone was arrested. "She was very special. . . . She will be greatly missed," Labrador said. "There's no way we can replace her."

"This has been a very hurtful experience for the Adventist community, particularly here in Orlando," says Florida Conference president Michael Cauley. "We know that Satan is busy, but God is more than able to bring comfort and give us His sustaining grace. We look forward to the coming of Jesus when suffering will be at an end."

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